POG351
Project Management
Summer 2017
Resit Coursework Brief
Handout: 9 am, 12/June/2017
Deadline for Submission: Thursday, 10th Aug 2017,
14:00
Submit this coursework through the Student Portal with a Turn-it-in Report
Word Limit: 2,750 words (Plus or minus 10%)
Learning outcomes assessed:
1. Critically analyse the component parts of a major oil project
2. Evaluate the time and cost constrained project plan and complete a Critical
Path Analysis on the project
3. Analyse the planning process and management of a major oil project
4. Discuss project management constraints of quality, time and cost
This coursework is worth 100% of the total marks for this module.POG351 Project Management Summer 2017 Coursework Brief
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Coursework Instructions
Please read carefully
• Carefully read the module handbook, the marking criteria and the grade
descriptors.
Academic Misconduct
You are responsible for ensuring you understand the policy and regulations
about academic misconduct. You must:
• Complete this work alone except where required or allowed by this
assignment briefing paper and ensure it has not been written or composed
by or with the assistance of any other person.
• Make sure all sentences or passages quoted from other people’s work in
this assignment (with or without trivial changes) are in quotation marks, and
are specifically acknowledged by reference to the author, work and page.POG351 Project Management Summer 2017 Coursework Brief
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BlankPOG351 Project Management Summer 2017 Coursework Brief
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Assignment Brief
This project will constitute a phase of your firm's annual operating plan for
generating revenues and competitive advantage.
Assignment Background
Identify a business issue/problem, or opportunity as below:
With a business environment of increasing climate regulation e.g. Paris 2015, &
Oil & Gas (O&G) becoming increasingly onerous, forward-looking O&G firms,
such as the one you are now working for, however, believe today’s turbulent
market landscape provides an opportunity to gain competitive advantage by
harnessing new technologies in the sector of renewable energy.
With this forward-looking strategy in mind your firm has made the monumental
decision of turning away from O&G to become a renewable energy firm.
This move is focused on the long-term reward of capturing market value while
maintaining long-term sustainability within the energy sector.
This move also means that it now has a Business-to-Customer (B2C) customer
base that it needs to communicate with, & increase sales & gain competitive
advantage from. In the past it was a predominantly Business-to-Business (B2B)
player.
It has made this decision on the back of acquiring a global solar energy firm –
Photonic Power, making it a leader in the provision of solar energy. To
showcase its new capabilities and status, and to accommodate a digital
platform for sales, it will require a new digital capability.
You are the Project Manager and have been tasked with an international short
term project, with a duration of three months. This will be to develop its mobile
(phone, tablet) presence, as currently it has none, to be more relevant to its
B2C customer base.
Therefore, your task is to scope out a digital/mobile project that can deliver this
for the firm, showing the financial & non-financial benefits of this investment.
Your Report should show how the project will allow the firm to meet its overall
business needs, of achieving increased sales and competitive advantage, within
its new B2C focus.
The initial project should focus on the firm’s USA, Canadian & Mexican markets.
Your company’s Details:
Name: CUK Inc
Company snapshot (since acquiring Photonic Power)
• Ranking in S&P500
• Headquarters: Houston, Texas, USA (Global HQ),
• Operations: Operates in 17 countries & territories. (Previously 11 countries)
• Employees: 9,000 (Previously 12,000)
• Profit (2016 – 2017 Financial Year): $ 70 billion.POG351 Project Management Summer 2017 Coursework Brief
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Assignment Task
Your task is to write a 2,750-word business Report detailing the resources
needed to deliver this project. Other people have also been asked to put
together a report along the same lines and the best one will be selected by
senior management before implementation begins.
In order to convince your CEO, your Report will have to create “a well thoughtout plan, including defined measures of success”
(Source: 18th Annual Global CEO Survey findings. Explore the data at
www.pwc.com/ceosurvey)
You, as The project manager, will need to critically analyse your organisation’s
current situation, utilising and evaluate appropriate academic models, theories
and frameworks to establish a project that will help your company gain
competitive advantage with a measurable outcome. As you will be
recommending the project the dates must be in the future.
The final report should be presented in the style of a formal Report addressing
your senior management team. Use business English and write in the third
person e.g. “It is recommended that…” not, “I think we should do this…” Ensure
your tasks are clearly signposted by using good formatting, headings, and titles
that relate to the assignment question.
Guidelines & Milestones: (LOs 1,2,3 &4)
Based on your chosen project you will be required to cover, via a high
level critical analysis, the following sections, which will form you overall
report:
Section 1
Discuss the purpose of the project – why it’s needed and what will it achieve.
Discuss the merits and limitations of A Project Plan, in context of this project.
Discuss the merits and limitations of Project’s Scope: And produce a scope
for the project - What’s in, what’s out
Section 2
Conduct a High level critical discussion of:
o Business Environment - Micro and Macro (internal, external factors)
Conduct a High level critical discussion of:
o McKinsey’s 7S’s analysis in context. Enhance your discussion with
specific analysis in context of this project.
Discuss the merits & limitations of Stakeholder Analysis & produce a
stakeholder analysis for the project.
Discuss the merits & limitations of Constraints Analysis (Internal and
External), in context of this project.POG351 Project Management Summer 2017 Coursework Brief
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Section 3
Critically discuss Risk & Risk Management - The associated organisational
risk in context;
o Produce a risk management programme – a table - for the project, via
applying the below;
Risk Control/ response/management Programme: - Risk
category & type, Evaluation of probability, Assessment/impact
of risk on the company, Response to the risk, Contingency
planning
Assess all resource capacity, capability and necessity relative to the
proposed project:
o Resource Reviews - 5 Ms of management - Men, Minutes,
Machinery, Materials, Money.
Section 4 - Critically evaluate the project via a Robust cost benefit
analysis.
Apply SMART objectives to the project.
Cost benefit analysis;
Develop the budget for the project based on identifying
(research required – prices should be based on realistic
indicative figures) the main components that you will need).
Additionally, discuss critically as well as applying the
following to the project;
Costs/Budget for the project
Financial Benefits;
o Forecast, ROI,
Section 5 - Scheduling
Critically evaluate the implementation/schedule plan for the project, and
communicating with stakeholders (internal and external) applying project
management techniques, where indicated, as follows:
Work Breakdown Structure - And produce a WBS for the project.
Gantt Chart
Critical Path
Communication Plan
Section 6
Critically discuss how the project will be:
Evaluated via Post Implementation review (PIR) and use of appropriate
evaluation methodology. And produce a PIR for the project.
An overall Conclusion to the business Report. Make justified
recommendations.
You will need to support your answers throughout with robust
research & examples/benchmarks/best practice from a wide
range industries or companies.POG351 Project Management Summer 2017 Coursework Brief
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End of Assignment BriefPOG351 Project Management Summer 2017 Coursework Brief
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Marking Criteria
KNOWLEDGE &
UNDERSTANDING
INTELLECTUAL &
COGNITIVE SKILLS
Graduate Skills:
transferable,
employability, practical
and academic skills
Factual and conceptual
knowledge and understanding;
use of class materials;
independent reading
Critical thinking;
conceptualisation;
creativity; synthesis,
analysis and
evaluation;
application; problem
solving and
research/investigation
Written, oral and
presentation skills;
interpersonal, group and
teamwork skills;
leadership skills;
numeracy; digital skills;
practical, professional
and academic skills
(including
referencing/presentation
MARKING
BAND
CLASSIFICATION WEIGHTED AT 35% WEIGHTED AT 40% WEIGHTED AT 25%
86 - 100% FIRST (1ST) Includes all required factual content,
accurately and succinctly
summarised.
Well developed,
persuasive, highly
relevant, reasoned
introduction and
conclusions,
demonstrating
originality.
Within word count or
presentation time.
Includes relevant factual content
only.
Clearly and logically
structured material,
showing excellent
understanding of the
discipline.
Accurate spelling,
grammar, punctuation,
paragraphing.
Systematic, accurate identification of
relevant concepts, theories and/or
principles.
Information or data
selected from a broad
range of highly relevant,
current primary and
secondary sources, and
categorised, analysed or
evaluated using
relevant, self-determined
methods or techniques.
Eloquent, professional
writing style, appropriate
to the assignment OR
professional, engaging,
confident, audible and well
paced presentation.
Sophisticated use of
technical vocabulary,
where appropriate.
Exceptional, in-depth understanding
of factual and conceptual material,
including understanding of the limits
to knowledge in this area.
Well developed,
perceptive, coherent
arguments,
systematically
referencing primary and
secondary literature,
including competing
perspectives, with clear
rationale for choices.
Professional, creative
visual presentation,
including font, spacing,
margins, headings,
graphics, images and
appendices.
Calculations are accurate, clearly
set out, with excellent, precise
explanations.
Exceptional integration
of theory and practice,
using appropriate
conceptual frameworks.
Correct and systematic
use of academic
conventions, references
and bibliography.
Independent, wide-ranging, highly
relevant reading and research, from
authoritative primary and secondary
sources.
Exceptional application
of numerical and
statistical methods to
defined complex
problems.
Exceptional, consistent,
flexible delivery of group
work obligations. Proactive
leadership, accepts
responsibility and
ameliorates conflict.
Undertakes complex
tasks.
Substantiated, highly
relevant
recommendations
generating novel
solutions. Excellent
awareness of ethical
issues.
Exceptional, well
articulated reflection on
own strengths and
weaknesses in relation to
defined professional and
practical skills. Identifies
and follows up required
actions.POG351 Project Management Summer 2017 Coursework Brief
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70 - 85% FIRST (1ST) Includes all required factual content,
accurately and succinctly
summarised.
Well developed,
relevant, reasoned
introduction and
conclusions,
demonstrating some
originality.
Within word count or
presentation time.
Includes relevant factual content
only.
Clearly and logically
structured material,
showing excellent
understanding of the
discipline.
Accurate spelling,
grammar, punctuation,
paragraphing.
Systematic, accurate identification of
relevant concepts, theories and/or
principles.
Information or data
selected from a good
range of relevant,
current primary and
secondary sources, and
categorised, analysed or
evaluated using
relevant, self-determined
methods or techniques.
Fluent, professional writing
style, appropriate to the
assignment OR
professional, engaging,
audible and well paced
presentation. Excellent
use of technical
vocabulary, where
appropriate.
Excellent, in-depth understanding of
factual and conceptual material,
including understanding of the limits
of knowledge in this area.
Well developed,
coherent arguments,
systematically
referencing primary and
secondary literature,
including competing
perspectives, with clear
rationale for choices.
Professional, creative
visual presentation,
including font, spacing,
margins, headings,
graphics, images and
appendices.
Calculations are accurate, clearly
set out, with excellent explanations.
Excellent integration of
theory and practice,
using appropriate
conceptual frameworks.
Correct and systematic
use of academic
conventions, references
and bibliography.
Independent, wide-ranging, relevant
reading and research, from
authoritative primary and secondary
sources.
Excellent application of
numerical and statistical
methods to defined
complex problems.
Excellent, consistent,
flexible delivery of group
work obligations. Proactive
leadership, accepts
responsibility and
ameliorates conflict.
Undertakes complex
tasks.
Substantiated relevant
recommendations
generating novel
solutions. Very good
awareness of ethical
issues.
Excellent, well articulated
reflection on own
strengths and weaknesses
in relation to defined
professional and practical
skills. Identifies and
follows up required
actions.
60 - 69% UPPER SECOND
(2:1)
Includes most required factual
content, mostly accurately and
succinctly summarised.
Relevant and valid
introduction and
conclusions.
Within word count or
presentation time.
Includes relevant factual content
only.
Clearly structured
material, with some
gaps in logic, but
showing good
understanding of the
discipline.
Mostly accurate spelling,
grammar, punctuation,
paragraphing.
Mostly systematic and accurate
identification of relevant concepts,
theories and/or principles.
Information or data
selected from mainly
relevant primary and
secondary sources, and
categorised, analysed or
evaluated using relevant
methods or techniques
but with minor gaps or
misunderstandings.
Mainly fluent, professional
writing style, appropriate
to the assignment OR
mainly professional,
engaging, audible and well
paced presentation. Good
use of technical
vocabulary, where
appropriate.
Very good understanding of factual
and conceptual material, showing
some appreciation of the limits of
knowledge in this area.
Mostly coherent
arguments, with some
perceptive points, mostly
systematically
referencing well selected
primary and secondary
Mostly professional,
creative visual
presentation, including
font, spacing, margins,
headings, graphics,
images and appendices.POG351 Project Management Summer 2017 Coursework Brief
GSM LONDON Page 9 of 12
literature.
Calculations are mainly accurate,
clearly set out, with good
explanations.
Good integration of
theory and practice,
using appropriate
conceptual frameworks.
Mostly correct use of
academic conventions,
references and
bibliography.
Independent reading and research
from a range of mostly authoritative
primary and secondary sources.
Mainly good application
of numerical and
statistical methods to
defined complex
problems, with some
gaps, errors or
misunderstandings.
Consistent delivery of
group work obligations.
Some leadership and
ability to accept
responsibility and modify
responses. Undertakes
non-routine tasks.
Some relevant
recommendations
generating some novel
solutions. Satisfactory
awareness of ethical
issues, where relevant.
Clear reflection on own
strengths and weaknesses
in relation to defined
professional and practical
skills. Partial identification
of required actions.
50 - 59% LOWER SECOND
(2:2)
Includes most required factual
content, but with some gaps or
misunderstandings.
Satisfactory introduction
and conclusions.
Within 10% of word count
or presentation time.
Includes some irrelevant factual
content.
Mostly clearly structured
material, with some
gaps in logic,
demonstrates an
understanding of the
discipline.
Some mistakes in spelling,
grammar, punctuation,
paragraphing.
Adequate identification of relevant
concepts, theories and/or principles.
Information or data
selected from mainly
secondary sources, and
categorised, analysed or
evaluated using mostly
relevant methods or
techniques but with gaps
or misunderstandings.
Writing style is appropriate
but not always fluent or
professional OR a
presentation that is not
always professional,
engaging, audible or well
paced. Some use of
technical vocabulary,
where appropriate.
Satisfactory understanding of factual
and conceptual material, but not indepth. Limited appreciation of the
limits of knowledge in this area.
Satisfactory arguments,
referencing mostly
secondary literature and
including some personal
opinion
Appropriate visual
presentation, including
font, spacing, margins,
headings, graphics,
images and appendices.
Calculations may have some
inaccuracies, or issues relating to
set out and explanation.
An adequate attempt to
relate theory to practice,
using appropriate
conceptual frameworks.
Inconsistent use of
academic conventions,
references and
bibliography.
Adequate independent reading and
research from mostly secondary
sources.
Adequate application of
numerical and statistical
methods to defined
complex problems, with
some gaps or errors.
Inconsistent delivery of
group work obligations.
Some awareness of
responsibility and options.
Undertakes mostly routine
tasks.
Basic recommendations,
which do not generate
novel solutions.
Satisfactory awareness
of ethical issues, where
relevant.
Some evaluation of own
strengths and weaknesses
in relation to defined
professional and practical
skills. Limited identification
of required actions.
40 - 49% THIRD (3RD) Includes limited required factual
content, with many gaps or
inaccuracies.
Basic introduction and
conclusions.
Within 10% of word count
or presentation time.
Includes considerable irrelevant
factual content.
Unevenly structured
material, with many
gaps in logic and limited
understanding of the
discipline.
Frequent mistakes in
spelling, grammar,
punctuation, paragraphing.POG351 Project Management Summer 2017 Coursework Brief
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Some identification of relevant
concepts, theories and/or principles.
Information or data
selected from secondary
sources, and poorly
categorised, analysed or
evaluated using
inappropriate methods
or techniques.
Awkward or inappropriate
writing style OR a
presentation that is not
engaging, audible or well
paced. Little use of
technical vocabulary,
where appropriate.
Basic understanding of factual and
conceptual material. Minimal
appreciation of the limits of
knowledge in this area.
Sense of emerging
argument, but mainly
descriptive or personal
opinion, with limited and
superficial reference to
literature. Negligible use
of primary literature.
Inappropriate visual
presentation, including
font, spacing, margins,
headings, graphics,
images and appendices.
Calculations are often inaccurate,
with many issues relating to set out
and explanation.
Limited attempt to relate
theory to practice, using
appropriate conceptual
frameworks.
Inconsistent or incomplete
use of academic
conventions, references
and bibliography.
Basic independent reading and
research from secondary sources.
Weak application of
numerical and statistical
methods to defined
complex problems, with
many gaps or errors.
Unreliable delivery of
group work obligations.
Limited awareness of
options. Undertakes only
routine tasks.
Confused
recommendations. Little
awareness of ethical
issues, where relevant.
Limited reflection on own
strengths and weaknesses
in relation to defined
professional and practical
skills.
30 - 39% FAIL. POSSIBLE
COMPENSATION.
Includes insufficient required factual
content, with significant gaps or
inaccuracies.
Mostly incoherent or
irrelevant introduction
and conclusions.
More than 10% outside
word count or presentation
time.
Includes substantial irrelevant
factual content.
Incoherently structured
material.
Serious mistakes in
spelling, grammar,
punctuation, paragraphing.
Limited identification of relevant
concepts, theories and/or principles.
Limited selection of
information or data, and
little attempt at collation,
categorisation, analysis
or evaluation.
Poor writing style OR a
presentation that is not
engaging, audible or well
paced. Does not use
technical vocabulary,
where appropriate.
Limited understanding of factual and
conceptual material. No appreciation
of the limits of knowledge in this
area.
Little or no argument,
entirely descriptive or
personal opinion, with
no reference to
literature.
Poor visual presentation,
including font, spacing,
margins, headings,
graphics, images and
appendices.
Calculations are mostly inaccurate,
or incorrectly set out or explained.
Very weak attempt to
relate theory to practice,
using appropriate
conceptual frameworks.
Inaccurate or incomplete
use of academic
conventions, references
and bibliography.
Minimal independent reading and
research.
Very weak application of
numerical and statistical
methods to defined
complex problems, with
significant errors.
Poor delivery of group
work obligations. No
awareness of options.
Undertakes a few routine
tasks.
Irrelevant or no
recommendations. Little
or no awareness of
ethical issues, where
relevant.
Very limited reflection on
own strengths and
weaknesses in relation to
defined professional and
practical skills.
16 - 29% FAIL. NO
COMPENSATION.
Includes almost no required factual
content, and with very significant
inaccuracies.
Incoherent or no
introduction and
conclusions.
More than 10% outside
word count or presentation
time.
Includes mainly irrelevant factual
content.
Very incoherently
structured material.
Serious and extensive
mistakes in spelling,
grammar, punctuation,
paragraphing.
Minimal or inaccurate identification
of relevant concepts, theories and/or
principles.
No evidence of the
selection, categorisation,
analysis or evaluation of
information or data.
Incoherent writing style
OR an inaudible, poorly
paced and unengaging
presentation. Does not
use technical vocabulary,POG351 Project Management Summer 2017 Coursework Brief
GSM LONDON Page 11 of 12
where appropriate.
Limited understanding of factual and
conceptual material. No appreciation
of the limits of knowledge in this
area.
No argument, entirely
descriptive or personal
opinion, with no
reference to literature.
Very poor visual
presentation, including
font, spacing, margins,
headings, graphics,
images and appendices.
Calculations are inaccurate, with no
explanations.
Theory not related to
practice.
Very inaccurate or no use
of academic conventions,
references and
bibliography.
No independent reading and
research.
Minimal application of
numerical and statistical
methods and techniques
to defined complex
problems, with
significant errors.
Very poor delivery of
group work obligations.
Does not undertake even
routine tasks.
No recommendations.
No awareness of ethical
issues, where relevant.
Minimal or no evaluation
of own strengths and
weaknesses in relation to
defined professional and
practical skills.
0 - 15% FAIL. NO
COMPENSATION.
Does not include required factual
content.
No introduction and
conclusions.
More than 10% outside
word count or presentation
time.
Includes entirely irrelevant factual
content.
Very incoherently
structured material.
Serious and extensive
mistakes in spelling,
grammar, punctuation,
paragraphing.
No identification of relevant
concepts, theories and/or principles.
No evidence of the
selection, categorisation,
analysis or evaluation of
information or data.
Incoherent writing style
OR an inaudible, poorly
paced and unengaging
presentation. Does not
use technical vocabulary,
where appropriate.
No understanding of factual and
conceptual material. No appreciation
of the limits of knowledge in this
area.
No argument, entirely
personal opinion, with
no reference to
literature.
Exceptionally poor visual
presentation, including
font, spacing, margins,
headings, graphics,
images and appendices.
Calculations are missing, with no
explanations.
Theory not related to
practice.
No use of academic
conventions, references
and bibliography.
No independent reading and
research.
No application of
numerical and statistical
methods to defined
complex problems.
No delivery of group work
obligations.
No recommendations.
No awareness of ethical
issues, where relevant.
No evaluation of own
strengths and weaknesses
in relation to defined
professional and practical
skills.